By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s column is dedicated to Woodstock re©fsident Jeff Danforth.  An avid fan of Woodstock Academy sports, Danforth indicates he’s winding down his professional life at Eastern Connecticut State University.  As he has more spare time on his hands he’s serious about getting back into coaching Centaur athletes.

A few months ago the Putnam community was shaken by a fire that totally destroyed a home on Park Street and in the process caused severe burns to one of the buildings tenants.  The news of the fire and the injuries to the home’s resident Wayne Correa was devastating to his many friends living in the area and around the nation.

Following weeks of treatment and surgeries in the hospital, Correa, who was at one time a giant among softball players in northeastern Connecticut, succumbed to the tragedy on March 1while a patient at Rhode Island Hospital.

Wayne Correa was a gifted athlete who was blessed with speed and quickness, which helped him become one of the best softball centerfielders our area has ever seen.  As a youngster he grew up with a love of baseball.  He was small for his age but his desire to excel on the diamond overcame his lack of size.  As he matured into his teen years and early adulthood he grew and with his growth his skills as a player made him a feared hitter, base stealer and fly chaser.

A student of the game, Correa tried his hand at coaching junior high school and high school teams, but his forte was serving as an assistant coach.  Working with other coaches, Correa was able to put his batting, fielding and running skills to best use teaching youngsters the skills that came so naturally to him.

Although he received a college degree in education and was well versed in history, Correa was much better suited as a teacher and mentor to kids outside the classroom, especially on the baseball and softball field.  Although he moved through a number of teaching positions he never seemed able to find his niche in education, settling for positions in industry and retail in his later life.

In his spare time he loved to spend hours with his close friends Jim and Donna Bartolomei and Willie and Fran Bousquet.  He was comfortable with these individuals and together they could explore and discuss Correa’s passions, history and the art of baseball or softball.

I personally had the opportunity to coach Correa as a youngster in his early teens when he played for me in the Putnam Senior League.  Although diminutive in size he was able to catch up with just about every baseball hit his way in centerfield.  Later in life we played together on some very good Deary Bros. softball teams.  There are still vivid memories of Correa making eye opening spectacular catches, many of the game-saving variety.

Correa was always a battler when it came to athletics.  Although he mellowed in later life, according to those who were close to him and visited him to the end, he fought his severe burns until his body could no longer tolerate the pain and suffering.  His life ended the same way he lived it, playing hard until the very last out.

A New Season Begins…

As the weather continues to warm and improve many sports-minded individual’s minds turn to baseball.  But to a few, the hardy, it’s the beginning of road racing season.

Two of Putnam’s most dedicated runners started off the season last weekend with stellar performances in the Central Mass Striders 5K at Worcester State University.  Scott Deslongchamps, known for his prowess in long distances, captured first place in the CMS event, breaking the tape in 19:05 a mere two seconds ahead of Rob Auger.  Putnam’s Alan Rondeau finished just behind Auger in third place with a time of 19:58.

Rondeau and Deslongchamps have been working out all winter, running on local roads as they took advantage of the mild winter temperatures.  Deslongchamps also works out daily at the Hale YMCA Youth and Family Center as he hopes to compete in some triathlon events this summer.  In addition to weights and aerobics, Deslongchamps is taking advantage of the Y’s Olympic swimming pool.

Deslongchamps, who is younger than Rondeau, is his buddy’s biggest fan.  He’s been encouraging Rondeau to work on breaking the 20-minute barrier in the 5K.  Thanks to Deslongchamps prodding and encouragement, Rondeau found the magic in the CMS event.  

In Baltic also on Saturday, runners lined up for the annual St. Joseph School 3-Mile Road Race.  A familiar name that’s been absent from active running in the past few years emerged as the winner.  Former Norwich Free Academy great, 40-year old Chad Johnson is back in action and ran away from the field, posting a winning time of 15:28 and signaling to others that he’s up for a great year on the pavement.

A number of local runners also took part in the Baltic event.  Linda Spooner, a familiar name to local races, finished 5th overall and second in the women’s competition with a time of 18:49.  Other locals included Jill Vollweiler (12th-20:30); Wayne Jolley (13th-20:31); Jacob Irons (21st-21:28); Mark Irons (31st-22:21); and Brian Andstrom (45th-23:50).

And In The End There Was One…

Following the long high school basketball season only one local player received All State recognition.  Liam Jacobs, Plainfield’s 6-foot, 5-inch inside player, was the lone northeastern Connecticut hoopster to be honored, when he was named to the Class M second team.  Jacobs was Plainfield’s leading scorer and rebounder all season.

If his name sounds familiar, it’s because he’s the son of the Hartford Courant’s noted sports columnist Jeff Jacobs.  Rumor has it that young Jacobs is interested in a year of prep school before testing the college waters.  Word is that he is speaking with both Putnam Science Academy and Marianapolis Prep School.

Unique Amateur Golf 

Opportunity… 

Golfers of all skill levels will once again have an opportunity to test the quality of their golf against others of the same handicap in one of golf’s most unique amateur tours.  

The CT AM Golf Tour operated by Brian Blade of Killingly is currently in its 7th season and is operating statewide with more than 500 members.  The traveling golf tour plays once per week at private clubs and once every weekend at public venues.  Open to golfers of all ability levels the tour covers the entire state and occasionally ventures into Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island.  Members, both men and women, range in age from Juniors to Seniors.  The CT AM Golf tour is recognized by the USGA and CSGA.

Some of the familiar courses that the Tour will play this season include, Lake of Isles, TPC River Highlands, Newport National Golf Club, Mohegan Sun at Pautipaug, Shennecossett Golf Club and Connecticut Golf Club in Putnam.  The Tour will conduct its playoffs beginning the weekend of September 10.

Golfers looking for more information can contact Brian Blade, 14 Mayhew Drive, Dayville, CT 06241 or call 860.710.1914 or visit www.ctamtour.com. 

On To The Final Four…

The luck of the draw was on the side of Nelson “Buzz” King and his wife Kerry as they were informed they received tickets to attend the Women’s NCAA Final Four in Indianapolis.  The pair is faithful Lady Husky fans and never miss a game, often traveling to away games when the opportunity presents itself.  It’s a certainty they’ll enjoy the Final Four and the Husky’s performance despite what Boston Globe writer Dan Shaunnessy might be saying about the UConn ladies and women’s college basketball.

RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: “Golf is the most fun you can have without taking your clothes off.” Chi Chi Rodriguez

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